small business owners

How Can I Promote My Own Business Online?

So you’ve finally decided to take the first steps toward exposing your small business to the vast ocean of prospects called the Internet; or maybe you’ve had a website for a few years that was built by your neighbor’s cousin’s daughter’s boyfriend. The fact is that if you’ve been in business for more than a year and you’re serious about your future and the future of your business then you need to continue reading because this post was written with YOU specifically in mind.

There’s really no good reason for any brick and mortar business to NOT have a web presence. Even if you’re a one man operation and the entire business revolves around your particular expertise or specialty, you owe it to yourself and your clients/customers to put forth the best possible image that you can for your business. Here are a few more reasons why a website is essential to business growth:

1. 1. A website can make your company look larger than it really is. Positioning is crucial to success.
   2. A website exposes your products or services to a wider audience than local advertising possibly could. Branding is crucial.
   3. A website gives you the ability to stay in constant contact with your clients/customers through auto-responders.
   4. A website that has been properly optimized will have you appear as the authority in your niche or field of expertise.
   5. A website gives your clients/customers a venue to make suggestions or offer feedback for you to improve your business while they can remain anonymous.
   6. More interactivity equals more satisfied customers which in turn equals more profit for you and your business.

Once you’ve decided to move ahead with creating a web presence for your small business there are a few things to consider before attempting to D-I-Y (do it yourself) or even hiring someone to do it for you. Make sure that you have some things crystal clear in your mind before you begin the process and you will save yourself time and frustration later on.
Things that you absolutely should have in place before moving forward:

1. 1. A mission statement. (If you didn’t do this when you first opened your business, do it now)
   2. A vision statement.
   3. A clear picture of exactly who your audience is.
   4. Short term and long term ATTAINABLE goals.
   5. A positive mental attitude.

If you’ve taken the time and forethought to really get these thoughts and processes ingrained into your psyche you’re well on your way to successfully taking your business to the next level and beyond.

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Use Video To Promote Your Small Business

If you’re a small business owner, it’s about time you began using video to promote your small business. The impact and reach that a short video can give to your current advertising can not be overlooked or under valued. It’s imperative that you begin to use video to promote your small business if you haven’t already.

The affordability of small, high definition video recorders like the Flip makes it even easier for the average business owner to get started. Many already have an HD camcorder in their family, it’s just a matter of using it to promote your business. There’s also no need to invest in high cost video editing software. If your PC came with Windows Vista or Windows 7 installed, they both came with “Windows Movie Maker” pre-installed.

There are a couple of ways that you can use video to promote your small business:

• The first way is to do a walk around your shop, from a customers perspective, and show people what you have to offer.
• The second method is to use video to highlight a “special offer or sale” and use that in your promotions.
• Another tactic is to use videotaped customer testimonials to give you better credibility and value in potential customer’s eyes.
• Use your imagination. Maybe you could show how easy your product is to set up or service.

Using video in your marketing, either directly (selling your product) or indirectly (testimonials & how-to’s) is an excellent way to add value to what  you bring to the table for your customers and clients. Remember that the more value that the visitors to your website perceive that you’ve given them, the more likely they are to buy from you…again and again.

If you’re the type of small business owner that likes to be involved in your community, you might consider hosting PSA (public service announcement) types of videos on your website. Maybe you’re a coach or sponsor of a local youth or church sports team and want to post a weekly rundown of local scores. Once again, you’re asked to call upon your own imagination and be creative as to how you could serve your community while bringing attention to your small business at the same time.

Remember, whether you utilize it directly or indirectly, as a small business owner you owe it to yourself to use video to promote your small business.

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